Nature and Wildlife
Portrait of a Pachyderm
I was able to capture this image after waiting patiently for nearly an hour. This big guy finally decided to give me a much appreciated short span of his attention. The more I waited, watched, and studied this huge subject, the more I was simply amazed by the texture and roughness of his skin. The fine details of the texture on his forehead and trunk were amazing. I found it quite magical at how gracefully and silently they can move their great frames and bulk! Heartfelt thanks to this “gentle giant” for his time and cooperation at my attempts to capture the moments he offered my lens.
Equipment used: Nikon D700, nikkor 70-200 2.8 lens, nikkor x2 teleconverter.
Software Used: Adobe Lightroom 4, Adobe Photoshop, Topaz Labs Details Extractor, Topaz Labs Black and white Effects 2.
Stills and digital artwork
Rainy Day Travel
No matter where you go or how you get there, it’s the good and the bad that make the journey worthwhile. In the words of Frankie Beverly and Maze, “Joy and pain, are like sunshine and rain”.
Hoping everyone has a safe and happy Friday and also a wonderful and safe weekend.
Location: Charleston, SC
Equipment used: Nikon D700, Nikkor 24-70 2.8 lens
Image available as wall art print, gallery wrap, puzzle, mouse pad, and more. Don’t forget the 18% Discount code for my WordPress.com friends!
Great Smoky Mountains
Pathways Through the Forest
As I stood there in the delightful morning chill composing this image, I was concentrating on the water trough that flows water from the creek (barely visible from camera left). Cursing under my breath that “how dare they put pavement so close to all this natural beauty!”, then I thought…wait a minute…exactly what am I looking at here? As you all know, learning to “see” can be a trying and tricky time…and as I reflected on how many different paths I have taken over these many years I realized…that no matter how numerous the paths, they all seem to end up placing me right here where I am. Like the snow that melts and travels down the road, down the water trough, and down the creeks, streams, and rivers…eventually to the ocean and then back up to the clouds. falling as snow and rain, to travel many paths right back to the ocean to start it’s journey all over again. Flowing down many different paths just to do it all over again while assuming different forms as liqied, ice, and snow.
So as they say out west, “Happy trails to you”, and as each of us travel our many paths of life try to remember that while destinations are important, the paths you chose to get there….can be even more exciting than the destinations themselves. Just my two cents worth, hope this makes sense to those who need to hear this (like me!).
Equipment used: Nikon D700, Nikkor 12-24mm 2.8 lens, Induro CT213 tripod, Induro BHD2 ballhead, and my trust Stanley thermos.
As always, my images are copyright protected and available to you as wall art prints, wraps, and other merchadise. More info available on my “About” page. You can click on any of my images to see them in HIGH RES. Thanks for visiting! (note: if you click on the image to view it in HIGHRES, you only need to click the back button on your browser to return to this page).
Fall
Fall Flowing In
Okay, one more..( I say that so often, especially during a photo shoot!)
Oh, and I almost forgot: I created a Fall Gallery just for those of you who love the rich colors of Fall. Click below and I would suggest clicking on the slideshow button (top right)
http://www.stanshillingburg.com/WallArt/Fall/25359507_8Sp7TH#!i=2097312504&k=7pWhchc
Equipment used: Nikon D700, Nikkor 12-24mm 2.8 lens, Induro CT213 tripod, Induro BHD2 ballhead, and my trusty Stanley thermos.
As always, my images are copyright protected and available to you as wall art prints, wraps, and other merchadise. More info available on my “About” page. You can click on any of my images to see them in HIGH RES. Thanks for visiting! (note: if you click on the image to view it in HIGHRES, you only need to click the back button on your browser to return to this page).
Great Smoky Mountains
Mountain Stream Lullabye
This image is primarily “right from the camera”. I did add some contrast and a small amount of highlight recovery. This will mark a break in my Great Smoky Mountains collection. However, I will be adding to this collection on my webpage if you would like to visit. I plan to add a little more diversity on my blog pages and for sure, I will be featuring more of this gallery on my blog pages in the near future!
Since I purchased Nikkor’s 12-24 2.8 lens, I have been absolutely in love with it’s ability to capture such wide angles of view while maintaining is “corner to corner” tack sharpness. I am going to be heading out to try this lens in some of my Seascape images (keep your fingers crossed, the huge bubble on the end of this lens does not allow for any filter use).
Equipment used: Nikon D700, Nikkor 12-24mm 2.8 lens, Induro CT213 tripod, Induro BHD2 ballhead, and my trusty Stanley thermos.
As always, my images are copyright protected and available to you as wall art prints, wraps, and other merchadise. More info available on my “About” page. You can click on any of my images to see them in HIGH RES. Thanks for visiting! (note: if you click on the image to view it in HIGHRES, you only need to click the back button on your browser to return to this page).
Great Smoky Mountains
Rustic Cabin
Just a little something different…trying a softer image style, hope you like it. Comments welcomed to your preference of sharp and clear, or allowing and enjoying the occassional use of a softer image style.
Equipment used: Nikon D700, Nikkor 12-24mm 2.8 lens, Induro CT213 tripod, Induro BHD2 ballhead, and my trust Stanley thermos.
As always, my images are copyright protected and available to you as wall art prints, wraps, and other merchadise. More info available on my “About” page. You can click on any of my images to see them in HIGH RES. Thanks for visiting! (note: if you click on the image to view it in HIGHRES, you only need to click the back button on your browser to return to this page).
Great Smoky Mountains
Fall Colors Begin
One of my favorite things to do is to hike through the woods where the silence and solitude can be deafening. The sound of the wind blowing through the trees is a haunting reminder of small we are in totality of nature. The chill of the air stings our cheeks warning us that “old man winter” is on the way. The feeling of solitude fill our mind as we wonder about those that have walked the paths, stood by the streams, and lived through the harshness of nature’s frosty blanket. Behind me I can hear the roar of a waterfall. Setting up my camera and tripod for this shot, the animals surely thought I was crazy…moving from side to side, the forward and backward, until I finally found a spot I was happy with for the photograph. This shot was something I wanted to savor and enjoy…the rich warm colors of fall as they began to show themselves in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Equipment used: Nikon D700, Nikkor 12-24mm 2.8 lens, Induro CT213 tripod, Induro BHD2 ballhead, and my trusty Stanley thermos.
As always, my images are copyright protected and available to you as wall art prints, wraps, and other merchadise. More info available on my “About” page. You can click on any of my images to see them in HIGH RES. Thanks for visiting! (note: if you click on the image to view it in HIGHRES, you only need to click the back button on your browser to return to this page).
Great Smoky Mountains
Enchanted Path to the Woodshed
Chilly and misty morning in Gatlinburg, TN. This old wood shed was ighlighte by the rocks, colors, and even the mist and trees. Drawing my eye and my lens to spend some time trying to capture it. Well, and a thermos full of coffee to ward off the wet chill in the air.
Equipment used: Nikon D700, Nikkor 12-24mm 2.8 lens, Induro CT213 tripod, Induro BHD2 ballhead, and my trusty Stanley thermos.
As always, my images are copyright protected and available to you as wall art prints, wraps, and other merchadise. More info available on my “About” page. You can click on any of my images to see them in HIGH RES. Thanks for visiting! (note: if you click on the image to view it in HIGHRES, you only need to click the back button on your browser to return to this page).
Great Smoky Mountains
An Oldie but Goodie!
I wanted to thank all of you for your wonderful comments, likes, and visits to my blog, it is so VERY much appreciated! Also, I have been asked by several of you to make it easier to get to my collection of Fall Colors and Gatlinburg, TN images. So, I have FINALLY created a Great Smoky Mountains gallery on my website. Click on this image will take you there to see this image in full screen and in HIGHRES.
OR,
You can simply click here( or copy and paste it into your browser): http://www.stanshillingburg.com/Photography/Great-Smoky-Mountains/25359498_sQv62Q#!i=1730722682&k=P2rxnjr
and be taken right in to the gallery where you can look at each image in thumbnail, small size through highres, or click on Slideshow and watch a full screen high res slide show of the entire gallery. As I finish up edits and add more images of those amazing colors, I will keep them update in this gallery. Thank you all so much for all your support! I will be out all weekend photographing the coast of SC and a few old fishing docks, so everyone stay safe, see ya next week here in the blogoshpere! Remember…use my discount code of PROMO2012 to get a 10 percent discount (for all my WordPress friends!)
As always, my images are copyright protected and available to you as wall art prints, wraps, and other merchadise. More info available on my “About” page. You can click on any of my images to see them in HIGH RES. Thanks for visiting! (note: if you click on the image to view it in HIGHRES, you only need to click the back button on your browser to return to this page).
Fine Art Collection
Smoky Mountain Color
Sometime even a wide angle lens cannot even come close to capturing all the splenor! Looks like I will be trying my hand at Fall Panoramas this year!
Location: Great Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg, TN
For more fall colors from Gatlinburg: you can click the link at the top of the page for my WEBSITE or, you can click on any of my image and go right to the HIGHRES version. Or, you can go to http://www.stanshillingburg.com and click on my photography gallery. The Landscapes, Fine Art, and other galleries are available for your viewing pleasure!
As always, my images are copyright protected and available to you as wall art prints, wraps, and other merchadise. More info available on my “About” page. You can click on any of my images to see them in HIGH RES. Thanks for visiting! (note: if you click on the image to view it in HIGHRES, you only need to click the back button on your browser to return to this page).
Landscapes and Seascapes
Mountain Stream in Fall Colors
Maybe I am over anxious for the splendor of Fall and all of her warm colors and crisp clean air….but I feel like I am like a kid at Christmas about it.
Stay safe and please visit often!
Location: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg, TN.
As always, my images are copyright protected and available to you as wall art prints, wraps, and other merchadise. More info available on my “About” page. You can click on any of my images to see them in HIGH RES. Thanks for visiting! (note: if you click on the image to view it in HIGHRES, you only need to click the back button on your browser to return to this page).
Fine Art Collection
Nautical Reflections
The peaceful and easy feeling projected by this wonderful location in Folly Beach, SC just kept me shooting for nearly an hour. I am standing on a low bridge (yes, on a walkway), even some of the passing cars stopped to take in the beautiful scene. One or two more images from this series coming soon. Thanks so much for your visits and comments!
Location: Folly Beach, SC
Equipment used: Nikon D700, Nikkor 24-70 2.8 lens, full ND filter, Induro CT213 tripod, Induro BHD2 ballhead.
As always, my images are copyright protected and available to you as wall art prints, wraps, and other merchadise. More info available on my “About” page. You can click on any of my images to see them in HIGH RES. Thanks for visiting! (note: if you click on the image to view it in HIGHRES, you only need to click the back button on your browser to return to this page).
Landscapes and Seascapes
Tranquil Bay
Sometimes, we just need, to stop, lean back, relax, and be thankful for what we have……and just enjoy the moment.
Location: Folly Beach, SC
Equipment used: Nikon D700, Nikkot 24-70 2.8 lens, Induro CT213 tripod, Indure BHD2 ball head, and a full ND filter.
As always, my images are copyright protected and available to you as wall art prints, wraps, and other merchadise. More info available on my “About” page. You can click on any of my images to see them in HIGH RES. Thanks for visiting!
Fine Art Collection
With Fall finally on the approach, I am re-posting this image to keep us all looking forward to the warm and brilliant colors of fall! The sights, smell, sounds, and fashion of Fall are things I look forward to every year. I hope to return to Gatlingburg again this year at the peak of the Fall colors, and maybe my camera and I can capture more of these colorful images for you! Stay safe, peace, love, and Happiness to all of you!
Equipment used: Nikon D700, Nikkor 24-70 2.8 lens, Induro CT213 tripod, Induro BHD2 ballhead
As always, my images are copyright protected and available to you as wall art prints, wraps, and other merchadise. More info available on my “About” page. You can click on any of my images to see them in HIGH RES. Thanks for visiting!
Travel- Grandfather Mountain
Another view of the Mile High Swing Bridge.
As always, my images are copyright protected and available to you as wall art prints, wraps, and other merchadise. More info available on my “About” page. You can click on any of my images to see them in HIGH RES. Thanks for visiting!
Travel- Grandfather Mountain
This is the Mile High Swing Bridge located at Grandfather Mountain Park in North Carolina. The walking platform is actually one mile above sea level… hence the name. The park itself is a wonderful place to visit and hosts many events including a yearly nature photography contest. Please visit the parks website for schedules, events, and attractions.
As always, my images are copyright protected and available to you as wall art prints, wraps, and other merchadise. More info available on my “About” page. You can click on any of my images to see them in HIGH RES. Thanks for visiting!
Travel
This is a closer look at that lead boat in the previous image. The Lady Linda is located near Beaufort, SC, USA and works daily as a fishing vessel. She is also famous for being featured in a movie…it featured such stars as Nick Nolte and Barbra Streisand…can you name the movie? It was not until later after photographing this image that I learned of her legacy from a local that was also enjoying the early light of dawn (at a different lcoation). He had asked if I had photographed the boat. When I replied with yes, he began to tell the tale and also educate myself and my fellow photographer Neil Owens about the boat and the area of Beaufort, Fripp Island, Hunting Beach, and the A.C.E Basin…ya just never know who you are going to bump into out there! I grabbed this shot just seconds before the first direct rays of light fell on the Lady Linda and the marsh.
Location: Beaufort, SC, USA
Equipment used: Nikon D700, Nikkor 24-70 2.8 lens, Induro CT213 tripod, Induro BHD2 ballhead.
As always, my images are copyright protected and available to you as wall art prints, wraps, and other merchadise. More info available on my “About” page. You can click on any of my images to see them in HIGH RES. Thanks for visiting!
Fishing Boats at Dawn
Sometimes, if your patient, you can be blessed with catching those very first rays of light at the sun comes over the horizon. Some of this image is still in the shadows while the marsh grass, boats, and some of the clouds begin to recieve those first golden rays of direct sunlight.
Location: Beaufort, SC, USA
Equipment used: Nikon D700, Nikkor 24-70 2.8 lens, Induro CT213 tripod, Induro BHD2 ballhead, and a Cokin reverse ND filter.
As always, my images are copyright protected and available to you as wall art prints, wraps, and other merchadise. More info available on my “About” page. You can click on any of my images to see them in HIGH RES. Thanks for visiting!
Stills and digital artwork
Tug Boat off the North Carolina Coastline
Location: North Carolina, USA
Equipment used: Nikon D700, Nikkor 24-70 2.8 lens
As always, my images are copyright protected and available to you as wall art prints, wraps, and other merchadise. More info available on my “About” page. You can click on any of my images to see them in HIGH RES. Thanks for visiting!
Landscapes and Seascapes
Early morning on the marsh near Beaufort, SC, USA
Equipment used: Nikon D700, Nikkor 24-70 2.8 lens, iNDURO ct213 tripod, Induro BHD2 Ballhead.
Camera settings: Focal length 24mm, f13, 1/500s, ISO 100
As always, my images are copyright protected and available to you as wall art prints, wraps, and other merchadise. More info available on my “About” page. You can click on any of my images to see them in HIGH RES. Thanks for visiting!
Landscapes and Seascapes
Waterfall in North Carolina
Sorry guys, not exactly sure which park this was in (whirlwind photo safari, many stops!) I was trying my hand at the “post card edit” style of editing, hope this is good enough for you guys! I can tell you there is an upper falls (with an overlook) and a lower falls (where this shot was taken) and I hiking all the way down to the plunge basin for this image. I will caution anyone who make the hikes up here…take plenty of water! It is a long way down, the change of socks came in handy, as did the trail mix and protien bars! And the hike back out is…steep! The portion of the falls visible here is about eighty feet, there are two more smaller falls about this final drop bt those remain hidden in the rocks. The river above that feeds this looks so calm and peaceful, then it drops rapidly down and makes a couple of twists before finally flowing out from this lowest level of the falls.
Location: North Carolina, USA
Equipment used: Nikon D700, Nikkor 24-70 2.8 lens, Induro CT213 tripod, Induro BHD2 ballhead.
As always, my images are copyright protected and available to you as wall art prints, wraps, and other merchadise. More info available on my “About” page. You can click on any of my images to see them in HIGH RES. Thanks for visiting!
Stills and digital artwork
Knock, knock, knocking on Heavan’s door
Location: Gatlinburg, TN, USA
Equipment used: Nikon D700, Nikkor 24-70 2.8 lens, Induro CT213 tripod, Induro BDH2 ballhead
As always, my images are copyright protected and available to you as wall art prints, wraps, and other merchadise. More info available on my “About” page. You can click on any of my images to see them in HIGH RES. Thanks for visiting!
Stills and digital artwork
Voyagers
for many…into the mystic, for others; simple and pure freedom.
Location: Key West, FL, USA
Equipment used: Nikon D700, Nikkor 24-70 2.8 lens, Induro CT213 tripod, Induro BDH2 ballhead
As always, my images are copyright protected and available to you as wall art prints, wraps, and other merchadise. More info available on my “About” page. You can click on any of my images to see them in HIGH RES. Thanks for visiting!
Post Cards From the Road
Sunset over Key West – Filtered
Filtering helps photographers bring out colors, remove distractors, focus on and highlight the main subject, and make an image more appealing and the subject more “attractive”.
When filters are applied to life…you can do the same thing: filter out the bad stuff, while enriching, highlighting, and making your views…more “attractive”.
Again, know what filters to apply, when to apply them, and to what degree to apply them…is a recipie only you can create and..”season to your own taste” (sly grin to Smidge!) Seeing things in this way may not change the harsh realities of life, but they might just add just the right amount joy and happiness to keep those cruel shadows of reality at bay (wink out to RL!). Just as we choose the best clothes and accessories to complement those moments of life we deem important for us to “look our best” (Yeah Resa, you do WONDERS for those actors!) and bring out those splendid hints and twists in a novel ( Jill, gotta throw a Kudo out to ya, Author extrordonnaire!), and finally..we are so very careful to choose only the most exact words for our poems (Dean J. and Mari..wow guys…wow!). Maybe if we apply the same zeal in how we “see” things, people, places around us…Life could get just a little bit easier for us all. I know for fact…I would not be as happy and as joyful as I am today, were it not for learning to see things in a different light. And, I know that ALL these things are possible…with a little help from our firends! Thank you so much to ALL of my friends, followers, and guests, for helping get this far in my blogging and my photography.Each of you play a part in my passion and motivation to get out there and bring back the very best I can for you guys to enjoy!
And …Sometimes…I get to see things a little bit more clearly and beautifully myself. Learning to see with your soul….can become a passion! Stay safe out there everyone! Until next time …write it, photograph it, tell it, cook/ bake it…live it…from the soul, with passion! Oh, and Tracie…can ya pass that rum back over here? I hope your spending some time out there on the front of that sailboat…riding happy and free in your sea of inspiration and amazing imagery!
As always, my images are copyright protected and available to you as wall art prints, wraps, and other merchadise. More info available on my “About” page. You can click on any of my images to see them in HIGH RES. Thanks for visiting!
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